UPS is launches daily non-stop flight from Louisville to Dubai

UPS is launching a daily non-stop flight from Louisville to Dubai reducing time-in-transit between the United States and key destinations in the Middle East by a full business day.

The flight, operated with one of UPS’s new 747-8F freighters, is part of the build out of UPS’s smart global logistics network and takes place as the company plans for its role as official logistics provider for Expo 2020 Dubai.

“The UAE trades with all 50 U.S. states and has grown to become the U.S.’s largest export destination in the Middle East. Dubai’s importance as a global trade hub increases every day – and we’re now getting there a day faster with our small package express carrier and cargo offerings,” said Jim Barber, President, UPS International. “Growth potential is great for companies accessing the UAE and other rapidly developing industrial and commercial sectors in the region. Our new flight is another example of how UPS’s smart global logistics network, which carries three percent of the world’s GDP every day, constantly evolves to service increasing international trade demands.”

At approximately 7,700 miles (12,400 km), the route is the longest regularly-scheduled flight UPS has ever operated, and is made possible by the new 747-8s, which offer greater payload over long range. The new flight is currently operating on a weekly basis and will become a daily flight on February 27th, operating Tuesday through Saturday. The new flight is part of plans to expand UPS’s presence in Dubai, the headquarters of UPS’s Indian Subcontinent Middle East & Africa (ISMEA) region, by establishing capacity, technology and staff capabilities to serve customers shipping to and through Dubai in the buildup to Expo 2020 and beyond. UPS has been operating in the region since 1989.

“Our customers are demanding more capacity, and we’re providing it with this non-stop connection to Dubai,” said UPS Airlines President, Brendan Canavan. “UPS has made a strategic investment in 747-8 jumbo jets, the largest aircraft we have ever flown, to offer sustainable lift on long-range international routes like this.”

Emirates will introduce a daily A380 service for a temporary period between Glasgow and Dubai from 16 April 2019. It will be the first time the popular double decker aircraft will operate on a scheduled basis to Scotland.